Pike o’Stickle viewed from Pike o’Blisco, across Langdale. Picture taken on walk 64.

Volume: Book 3 (The Central Fells)

Date climbed: First visit: 30th June 2011 (walk 38). This was one of only three summits (Dove Crag and Staveley Fell being the others) that I needed more than one attempt to reach, having abandoned my attempt to reach it in the snow and mist of walk 10. Having now done the climb I’d probably risk it in similar conditions again, but only because I now know the way up and down. I wouldn’t do it in mist if you were unfamiliar with it.

Route of ascent and descent: First visit: Approached from the New Hotel, Dungeon Ghyll. A variety of routes are available; I went up the path detailed on page Harrison Stickle 9 [not Pike o’Stickle, note] and then across Harrison Combe to the summit. Left down across Martcrag Moor to Stake Pass, then on to Rossett Pike – a walk that takes you across the boundary and into Wainwright’s volume 4, but is nevertheless a logical ridge walk.

What Mr Wainwright says (on page 2 of his chapter): “Simple lines are often the most effective, and the smoothly-soaring pyramid of Pike o’Stickle, rising to a tapering thimble of rock without interruption or halt between valley and summit, is an imposing and impressive feature that contributes much to the grandeur of the head of Great Langdale. The unbroken sweep of Stickle Breast above Mickleden is one of the most continuously steep slopes in the district, rising nearly 2,000 feet over a lateral distance of half a mile.”

What I say: Pike o’Stickle has the rare positive attribute of looking good pretty much from every direction. Even from the back, it can pop up entertainingly in distant views, instantly recognisable thanks to its ‘sugarloaf’ look – certainly it is the only one of the 214 that could stand comparison with that peak in Rio. It’s a highly impressive sight.

Pike o’Stickle, with Bowfell behind.

The actual climb is slightly muted by the inevitability of crossing swathes of slightly stodgy moor to get to the final summit climb; and there are some walkers who will find that awkward, as it requires a scramble. But never mind. It entertains by its shape alone, and I recommend this one, as I do the other Langdale Pikes.